Transfer Centre

Transfer rumours: Kadioglu to Arsenal, Varela to Liverpool, Kelly to Man Utd

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 06 June 2024

Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer rumours, including Ferdi Kadioglu to Arsenal, Alan Varela to Liverpool and Daniel Kelly to Manchester United.

Arsenal have reportedly agreed personal terms with Fenerbahce left-back Ferdi Kadioglu and are edging closer to a deal for the Turkey international.

The 24-year-old excelled as an attacking force in the 2023-24 season with three goals and five assists from 51 matches, although Fenerbahce fell short in their bid for Turkish Super Lig glory.

Kadioglu - who was born in the Netherlands but represents Turkey - is only contracted to Fenerbahce until 2026, though, and Arsenal have apparently already seen one bid for his signature rejected.

Now, Turkish newspaper Milliyet - via Sport Witness - claims that Kadioglou has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta is pushing hard for his arrival.

Fenerbahce have already resigned themselves to losing the left-back in the summer transfer window, and a fee of €20m (£17m) could supposedly be enough to prise him away from his homeland.

Kadioglu could arrive at the Emirates as a replacement for Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares, both of whom are expected to leave the club this summer following loan spells elsewhere.

Porto's Alan Varela reacts in October 2023 © Reuters

Over at Anfield, reports claiming that Liverpool are set to move for Porto midfielder Alan Varela are now believed to be wide of the mark.

The 22-year-old was an ever-present during Porto's run to the Champions League quarter-finals last season, earning particular plaudits for his performance in a first-leg success against Arsenal.

While Varela's contract with Porto still runs for another four seasons, it has been suggested that his terms include a £51.1m release clause, which Liverpool would have no problem forking out.

However, the Liverpool Echo claims that figures inside the club have shot down links with the Porto man and have instead pointed the finger at his agent for engineering such claims.

The Reds are still expected to pursue a new holding midfielder ahead of Arne Slot's first season at the helm, but Atalanta BC's Teun Koopmeiners is seemingly a more realistic option.

Porto paid just £6.8m to bring Varela to the club from Boca Juniors last year, and the 22-year-old amassed two goals and three assists in 44 games in his debut year.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag celebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup on May 25, 2024 © Reuters

Sticking with the Big Six theme, and Celtic's 18-year-old protege Daniel Kelly is reportedly the subject of interest from both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The Bhoys academy product - who is comfortable as a number six, number eight and number 10 - is only under contract with the Scottish giants until the end of the calendar year.

Kelly made six appearances for Celtic under Brendan Rodgers last season, scoring his first goal for the club against Dundee and collecting a Premiership and Scottish Cup winners' medal.

Amid his uncertain contract situation, though, the Daily Record claims that Spurs - now managed by ex-Celtic head coach Ange Postecoglou - and Man United have both been keeping tabs on Kelly's progress.

The teenager is free to open pre-contract talks with other clubs from July onwards, and German champions Bayer Leverkusen, Bologna and Como are also said to be monitoring the situation.

Kelly is supposedly hoping to stay at Celtic Park, but other suitors are prepared to either treble or quadruple his weekly wages, and Celtic would only be due just under £500,000 in compensation.

Palmeiras' Luis Guilherme in action with San Lorenzo's Ivan Leguizamon on May 30, 2024 © Reuters

Onto another highly-rated 18-year-old, and West Ham United-bound Luis Guilherme could have supposedly been lining up for another Premier League club instead of the Hammers.

The 2006-born Palmeiras attacker is understood to be on the verge of moving to the London Stadium, as West Ham agreed a deal in excess of £25m despite brief fears that a transfer could fall through.

However, West Ham are not the only Premier League team to have been running the rule over Guilherme, as Football Insider claims that Liverpool were also scouting the Brazilian in recent months.

The Reds are facing increasing uncertainty over the futures of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, leading to the expectation that Arne Slot could try to sign a winger in his first transfer window.

Liverpool have apparently rejected the chance to pursue a move for Guilherme, though, as a new centre-back and defensive midfielder are more pressing matters for the board.